First, arts groups were surprised to hear about funding cuts in the revised budget that came from the Governor...but then came word that they’d be forced to compete for funds in a way they haven’t in the past.

Earmarks gone - a kind of “Race to the Top” for arts and culture underway.

But the Office of Policy and Managment later backed off that plan - saying there will be a “phased in” approach, where “earmarked” organziations will still get 80 percent of their most recent allocation...but will have to compete for the rest.

All of this is happening as the administration aligns arts and tourism in a new way under the Department of Economic and Community development.

Today, we’ll hear from arts groups - large and small - about what these coming changes will mean for the work they do.